The Hunt for Red October

This article is about the 1984 novel. For the film of the same name, see The Hunt for Red October (film). For other uses, see The Hunt for Red October (disambiguation).

The Hunt for Red October
First edition cover
AuthorTom Clancy
Audio read byFred Herbert
LanguageEnglish
SeriesJack Ryan
Genre
PublisherNaval Institute Press
Publication date
October 1, 1984
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages387
ISBN0870212850
Followed byPatriot Games 

The Hunt for Red October is the debut novel by American author Tom Clancy, first published on October 1, 1984, by the Naval Institute Press. It depicts Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he seemingly goes rogue with his country's cutting-edge ballistic missile submarine Red October, and marks the first appearance of Clancy's most popular fictional character, Jack Ryan, an analyst working for the Central Intelligence Agency, as he must prove his theory that Ramius is intending to defect to the United States.

The Hunt for Red October launched Clancy's career as a novelist, especially after then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan remarked that he had enjoyed reading the book.[1] A film adaptation was released on March 2, 1990, and several computer and video games based on the book have been developed. The book was instrumental in bringing the book genre of techno-thriller into the mainstream.

  1. ^ Schwab, Nikki. "Ronald Reagan Responsible For Tom Clancy's Rise". U.S. News. Retrieved July 28, 2018.